Ashenden: The British Agent NEW by W. Somerset Maugham

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Store Search search Title, ISBN and Author Ashenden: The British Agent by W. Somerset Maugham Estimated delivery 3-12 business days Format Paperback Condition Brand New Fact is a poor story-teller as Maugham reminds us. Fact starts a story at random, rambles on inconsequently and tails off, leaving loose ends, without a conclusion. It works up to an interesting situation, has no sense of climax and whittles away its dramatic effects in irrelevance. While some novelists believe this is a proper model for fiction, Maugham believes that fiction should not seek to copy life, but instead choose from life what is curious, telling, and dramatic, but keep to it closely enough not to shock the reader into disbelief. In short, fiction should excite, interest, and absorb the reader. "Ashenden: The British Agent" is founded on Maugham's experiences in the English Intelligence Department during World War I, but rearranged for the purposes of fiction. This fascinating book contains the most expert stories of espionage ever written. For a period of time after it was first published the book became official required reading for persons entering the secret service. The plot follows the imaginary John Ashenden who during World War I is a spy for British Intelligence. He is sent first to Geneva and later to Russia. Instead of one story from start to finish, the chapters contain individual stories involving many different characters. All of the people whom Ashenden meet during his travels have their own reason for being involved in the spy game, and each are more complex than they first look. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) wrote over 100 short stories in a long, multifaceted, successful and controversial career. His work has remained widely anthologied, and is, by any measure of commerce or canon, successful. Within Maugham's large output, the stories published in Ashenden: The British Agent are of particular interest. They are seen as important in the development of the genre of espionage fiction, influencing writers such as Eric Ambler, John le Carre, and Len Deighton. The protagonist breaks with the tradition of the gentleman crime sleuth in order to cope with modern crimes no less than ungentlemanly criminals. Details ISBN 1412811724 ISBN-13 9781412811729 Title Ashenden: The British Agent Author W. Somerset Maugham Format Paperback Year 2009 Pages 296 Publisher Transaction Large Print Dimensions 6.9 in. x 0.7 in. x 9.9 in. About Us Grand Eagle Retail is the ideal place for all your reading and entertainment needs! With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and over 1,000,000 in stock books, CDs and DVDs - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! Shipping & Delivery Times All items (including priority shipping) are subject to a 2-4 working day handling period before they are dispatched. We will notify all customers via email once their orders have shipped.Unless otherwise stated, economy services are used and delivery will take 3-12 working days, depending on the item purchased and the delivery location.A Priority shipping option is available at checkout for some items, and if selected, delivery is 3-6 working days after handling.International deliveries will take 1-6 weeks.NOTE: We are unable to offer combined shipping for multiple items purchased. This is because our items are shipped from different locations. Returns If you wish to return an item, please consult our Returns Policy as below: Please ensure that you contact Customer Services and request a Returns Authorization before you send the order back to us. Returns which are not prearranged cannot be accepted. If you wish to request a return, please ensure you contact us within 10 business days of delivery. Returned goods must be received within 30 days of the original shipment to the customer. Returns must be in resellable condition. Any returns are shipped at the customer's risk. Grand Eagle Retail does not take responsi... read more

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